Long before rush hour traffic and GPS was a thing, there was the glorious, sputtering, and often unpredictable dawn of the automobile. At the turn of the century, these "horseless carriages" were mechanical marvels that terrified pedestrians and thrilled the brave passengers. Driving was less of a chore and more of an adventure that required goggles, a full-body duster coat, and a healthy dose of courage. The roads were mostly dirt, flat tires were a certainty, and a simple trip to the next town over was an epic journey. These 50 photos capture the charming, chaotic, and downright hilarious beginnings of our love affair with the car.
#2 One Of The First Automobiles From 1900 At The Demonstration At The Sports Press Summer Festival In Berlin-Ruhleben, Germany, 1900
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9points
#6 "Automobile Equipped With Roussel Elastic Spoke Wheels Made By Mm. Cadignan & Cie.", Paris, France, Circa 1890s
8points
Owning one of these early machines made you an instant celebrity and a neighborhood mechanic. A simple drive was a public spectacle, guaranteed to draw a crowd of curious onlookers, barking dogs, and startled livestock. Getting stuck in a muddy rut or having to hand-crank a stubborn engine wasn't a frustration; it was part of the show, a shared moment of drama between man and his magnificent, unreliable machine.
#16 Magnus Volk, His Son Bert, And His Sister-In-Law Deborah, In His Electric Dog Cart, Outside Volk's Electric Rail Office In Madeira Drive, Circa 1897
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7points
#17 Line Of Russell Cars Outside Toronto City Hall, Circa 1900s
7points
#19 George P. Dorris In The First Automobile He Built, Circa 1895-1897
7points
#20 One Of The First Electric Automobile, Invented By An Iowan Named Morrison And Sold To Sturgis, Seen Parked In Front Of The West Hotel, Circa 1890
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7points